Name: Battling Levinsky Career Record: click Alias: Barney Williams Birth Name: Barney Lebrowitz Nationality: US American Birthplace: Philadelphia, PA Hometown: Philadelphia, PA Born: 1891-06-10 Died: 1949-02-12 Age at Death: 57 Stance: Orthodox Height: 5′ 11″

World Light-Heavyweight Champion from 1916 to 1920, Battling Levinsky began his career under the name Barney Williams. However, the former Barney Lebrowitz received little attention until he took on a manager named “Dumb” Dan Morgan in 1913, who changed Barney’s name and his boxing fortunes.

True to his new name, Battling Levinsky fought 37 times in 1914—9 times in the month of January alone. In January 1915, he began the year with three 10-round bouts on New Year’s Day—1 each in Brooklyn, Waterbury, Connecticut, and New York City.

After two title-match losses to Light Heavyweight Champion , (April 1914 and April 1916), Levinsky wrested the crown from Dillon on October 24, 1916. Fifty-nine bouts later, almost four years to the day, he lost his championship to France’s .

In an era when boxing titles changed hands only because of a — non-KO championship fights were labeled “no decision”—Levinsky fought all comers, including heavyweight champions-to- be and (losing both matches). Levinsky loved to fight, although his claim to having fought as many as 500 bouts is impossible to substantiate.

His official professional record: 287 bouts—won 192 (34 KOs), lost 52, drew 34, 9 no-decisions.

Levinsky was elected to the Boxing Hall of Fame in 1966.

Lincoln Daily News 10 June 1915

Jewish Athlete a Foxy Boxer.

Battling Levinsky, the Jewish light heavyweight who at one time looked like a rising- champion of the world, will pass his twenty-fourth milestone tomorrow. Not so very long ago Dumb Dan Morgan, the well-known tongue-tied two-legged sphinx, was proclaiming the Hebrew battler the "white heavyweight champion of the world." and was offering: to match him against . As for Jess Willard and Jim Coffey??? well, take It from Dumb Dan, those fighters had cold chills whenever the name of Levinsky was uttered in their presence.

Since those halcyon days of Levinsky's career he has had much hard sledding and has not lived up to his early promise. He has even been outpointed by George One-Round Davis, of Buffalo, who has been whipped by most of the heavies in the biff business. Levinsky has also been outpointed by Tom McCarty, the Montana fighter, and other second-raters, and had to travel his fastest to get a draw with Porky Flynn.

Levinsky was born in Philadelphia on June 10, 1891, and, it is said, his real name is Barney Lebrowitz He first appeared in the ring in 1910, when he fought under the name of Barney Williams.

The Hebrew took part in twenty five bouts that year, winning about a third of 'em by . In 1911 he defeated Leo Houck and Jeff Clark, among others. In 1912 the Battler was a very busy boxer, participating in about thirty contests. He fought Eddie McGoorty to a draw in Philadelphia, outpointed Joe Grim in the same city, defeated Tony Caponi in Atlanta, outpointed Dick Gilbert four times in Jacksonville,Fla., and met many other good men.

He began the 1913 campaign by fighting One-Round Davis and Jack (Twin) Sullivan in Buffalo, and it was in that year that the obscure Philadelphia middleweight began to be touted as a coming heavyweight champion. His bouts with Jim Coffey and Jim Flynn in New York showed lots of class, and the sport writers began to dig up statistics showing- that Levinsky's weight, which is around 170 pounds, was no bar to heavyweight championship aspirations.

His victory over was hailed as a great triumph, but since then the Hebrew has been defeated by the Gunboat in New Orleans.

Levinsky is still young, and, in spite of recent reverses, he may yet attain the championship goal.. He is five feet and eleven inches in height, is a natural fighter, thinks quickly, has a fine knowledge of the finer points of the game, a good wallop, speed and stamina, and is game. With those qualities he ought to travel far, and while alibis get a fighter nothing, it must be remembered that a boxer is a human being and subject to off days like the rest of us.

Levinsky was educated in the Philadelphia schools and started life as a clerk in a Jewelry store. He became interested in boxing through his friendship with a pugilist to whom he sold a chunk of ice, and joined an amateur club. One night Levinsky strayed by mistake into a labor union meeting, and came under suspicion of being a spy. The whole bunch lit on him, but Levinsky knocked down six men Dan Morgan says so -and got away. That put the idea into his head that maybe he could make more money by boxing than in the Jewelry business.

'He soon 'put the idea into effect, and made his ring debut under the name of Barney Williams, which remained his fighting name for three years, when he adopted the name of Levinsky, which, if not the name he was born with, at least indicated his racial origin.

The Bridgeport Telegram 28 May 1918

Levinsky Bests Bartley Madden In Stirring Bout

Hebrew Heavyweight Outpoints New Yorker in Fifteen Hard Rounds

Madden's Judgment Bad Levinsky Slugged All Through

In a furious toe to toe struggle, Battling Levinsky of this city defeated Bartley Madden of New York at the Casino last night in the Boxing bill presented by the Laksco Club. For heavyweights the men put up a fast battle and strange though it may seem the big battler waded in and fought like a slugger.

He lit Madden from all angles and hammered the New Yorker but his blows glanced off the New Yorker like water from the back of a duck. Madden was not in the best of shape being woefully weak on judgment and missed many blows that he had billed to stop the local Hebrew. Madden, however, did succeed in rapping Levinsky four fairly hard ones and on one occasion that being the last and fifteenth round he uncorked a right to the head which staggered Levinsky. However, Levinsky was not dazed by the blow but went after Madden and both were battling s hard at the bell. Madden's appearance last night was his first since he kayoed Jim Coffey in Providence five months ago and he carried some excess baggage about the waist line.

On points Levinsky had ten rounds. Madden was entitled to three and two were even. Madden was in no danger of a knockout at any time and the same could be of Levinsky.

When it is taken into consideration that the battlers of last night's main event were heavyweights the bout was exceptionally fast with both men giving and taking with the emphasis on the taking for Madden. However Madden merely smiled on being subjected to a fusillade of wallops from Levinsky and on one occasion thrust out his jaw for Levinsky to assail. When Madden scored on Levinsky the crowd went wild and at the close he was greeted with hearty applause.

This is the third meeting of' Madden and Levinsky. The first one, a ten rounder four years ago in New York was a draw. The second one was in Boston for twelve rounds and the referee decided that the bout was a draw.

Madden proved himself last night to be a game courageous miller and one who is willing to mix at all times but he was sadly lacking in knowledge of the game. His punch when it landed full force hurt Levinsky but he was too tired to follow up.

The bout by rounds:

First Round.

Levinsky scored with his left to jaw. Levinsky forced the battling, fighting hard with a left hook. Levinsky feinted and hooked his right to jaw. Levinsky. Fought hard, scoring with lefts and rights. The Battler was slugging hard. Levinsky's round.

Second Round.

Levinsky landed lefts and rights in rapid style. Madden rushed Levinsky to the ropes. Levinsky sent a hard, left to jaw. Madden missed a left jaw. Madden scored with a right to face. Levinsky hooked left to face and right to face. At close quarters Levinsky worked hard. Madden missed a left swing jto jaw and also missed a right. Levinsky was slugging hard. Levinsky's round.

Third Round.

Both men went hard at it. Levinsky landed a left to jaw and jabbed his left into Madden's face. Madden wrestled Levinsky to the ropes. Madden received a wallop over the left eye opening an old cut. Levinsky jabbed his left into Madden's face. Madden rushed and missed a terrific right swing. Levinsky jabbed with both hands and at the end both men were halting against the ropes. Levinsky's round.

Fourth Round.

Both rushed into action. Levinsky jabbed Madden in face repeatedly. Levinsky hit Madden with a straight left to face. At close quarters Levinsky hooked and jolted to the head and body. Madden landed a hard left to the body. Madden landed left to face Madden's wild right swing landed on Levinsky's face. Madden's round.

Fifth Round.

Levinsky jabbed Madden in the face. Madden missed a left swing. Madden landed a right to Levinsky's jaw. Levinsky sent left to body. Madden took two more in the body and three in face. Levinsky on Madden missing, scored with left to face. Levinsky forced the battling. Madden's eye was being peppered by Levinsky. Levinsky's round.

Sixth Round.

Levinsky jabbed with both hands and hooked a hard left to head. Madden took two more in the body. Levinsky jabbed, with both hands and jolted at close quarters. Madden landed right to face. At the close both battled hard. Even round.

Seventh Round.

Levinsky forced Madden to the ropes. Levinsky landed lefts to face. Levinsky took a left jolt on the jaw. Madden scored with a hard right to the jaw. Madden took six in rapid succession on the face. Madden landed a hard right to face. At close quarters Levinsky landed rights and lefts to face. Madden landed right to head. Madden's round.

Eighth Round.

Levinsky scored with a right, Madden landed left to jaw. Madden forced Levinsky to the ropes. Madden hard after Levinsky, scoring with both hands. Levinsky on drawing Madden into a lead slipped over a left on Madden's jaw. Madden stuck his left into Levinsky's face. Levinsky scored right to jaw. Levinsky's round.

Ninth Round.

Levinsky tried Madden to the lead and scored with both hands. Madden scored with right and missed two lefts. Madden lift Levinsky on the jaw with his left Levinsky hooked his left to face. Madden took four punches on the face. Madden landed left to ribs and left to face. Levinsky forced Madden to the ropes and landed with both hands. Madden was cheered as he went to his corner. Levinsky's round.

Tenth Round.

Madden landed a glancing blow on Levinsky's face. Levinsky took a hard right in the ribs. Levinsky kneed Madden but Madden refused to stop. Levinsky ducked and evaded madden's rushes and landed with both hands. Levinsky went to the floor and on getting to his feet raced after Madden, scoring with both hands. Even round,

Eleventh Round.

Levinsky landed with his left Madden landed left to jaw. Levinsky scored with left to jaw and Madden smiled. Madden landed a low one. This evened up matters as regards personalities. Madden stuck his left into Levinsky's face. Levinsky rushed Madden to the ropes, landing repeatedly. Madden a left in the ribs. Levinsky’s round.

Twelfth Round.

Levinsky landed with both hands on face. Madden missed a right uppercut and landed a left on Levinsky's face. Levinsky forced matters, landing with both hands. Madden took four on the law with relish. Madden took four more and smiled. Levinsky's round.

Thirteenth Round.

Levinsky's left found Madden's face. Levinsky landed his left and right on Madden's face. Madden took two on the face at close quarters. Both exchanged short arm jolts, Levinsky jolted with left. Levinsky scored to the jaw. Madden landed a hard right to the face. Levinsky forced the battling and brought the gore from Madden's eye again Levinsky's round.

Fourteenth Round.

Levinsky landed with both hands repeatedly. Madden seemed tired. Levinsky forced Madden to the ropes with both hands. Madden landed with his right. Madden took six rights and lefts to the face. Madden landed a hard right on Levinsky's neck. Levinsky's round.

Fifteenth Round.

The men touched gloves and started off. Levinsky forced the work. Levinsky landed a hard right to ribs. Madden staggered Levinsky with a right to head. Madden landed a light left. Levinsky went after Madden, landing with both hands. Madden forced the work, the men battling furiously. Madden's round.

Total: Levinsky ten rounds; Madden three rounds. Two rounds even.

The Bridgeport Telegram 13 October 1920

CarpentierWinsWorld's Light HeavyweightTitle

Idol of France Knocks Battling Levinsky, American Champion, Out in Fourth Round Hebrew Boxer Takes the Count of Eight Twice in Second Canto.

. JERSEY CITY,N. J., Oct. 12.

Georges Carpentier, the French heavyweight, made his initial bow as a fighter before an American gathering of patrons of pugilism tonight and knocked out Battling Levinsky ,who has the American light heavyweight title, in 67 seconds of the fourth round. Carpentier, who holds the light heavyweight championship title of Europe is now the world's title holder of that division.

Entitled to Dempsey Bout

Early in 1918 Jack Dempsey, who subsequently won the world's heavy weight championship, knocked out Levinsky in three rounds in Philadelphia.

Tonight Carpentier failed to equal Dempsey's time in finishing Levinsky, but he is the only one outside of the champion who has knocked out Levinsky since the latter became prominent as a fighter.

Taking a line through Levinsky Carpentier has earned the right to meet Dempsey for the world's championship. Levinsky was in splendid condition and so was Carpentier. From the middle of the first round when Carpentier began to cut loose the outcome was inevitable. His blows were well delivered and effective while Levinsky's plucky returns were too light to cut any figure. Twice in the second round Carpentier sent Levinsky to the floor of the ring with hard right crosses.

During the third session Carpentier slowed up a bit and seemed undecided as to what his next move should be. When he did start after his man, however, he used both hands powerfully and Levinsky, who always was credited with being able to absorb punishment, was visibly weakening.

In the final round Carpentier simply battered Levinsky into submission and when the battler fell almost through the ropes in a neutral corner, he was unable to get up while the referee counted him out. Levinsky was badly punished while Carpentier did not show a mark when he left the ring.

Fight by Rounds

Round One

Carpentier lead left and right landing lightly. Levinsky sent left and right to the body at close quarters. Carpentier landed a hard right on the forehead and blocked a right cleanly. Carpentier sent right and left to body. Levinsky countered right on head. Carpentier crossed his right to face and hooked left to stomach. Both were very cool and sparring at bell. Carpentiers round,

Round Two

They exchanged body blows. Carpentier stood off and motioned Levinsky to come in. Carpentier sent right and left to face. Then he drove his right to head and followed with left and right to the jaw sending Levinsky down in his corner for a count of eight.

Again with stiff lefts and a right swing to heart Carpentier sent Levinsky down again for another count of eight. Levinsky was groggy but weathered out the round.

Round Three

Carpentier rushed and landed his right to the head. Levinsky clinched. Carpentier missed right and left to the head. Levinsky jabbed three lefts to the face and Carpentier swung right to head. Carpentier hooked left to face and slowed up a bit while Levinsky kept him off with light lefts. Carpentier was waiting for an opening when the bell rang. Carpentier's round.

Round Four

Both fiddled for thirty seconds. Then Carpentier drove Levinsky across the ring landing lefts and rights at will finally sending Levinsky down in a corner for the full count. Levinsky was not unconscious but he was tangled up in a corner on the ropes while he was counted out

The Anaconda Standard 15 April 1914

Dillon Easy Winner In Levinsky Tangle

Jack Dillon stung in the fifth round by the hardest punch Battling Levlnsky could muster, tore Into the New Yorker in their fight at the Holland arena last night and from then on piled up a big lead which he topped of with having Levinsky weary and wobbly in the final round. Dillon outboxed, outfought and outgeneraled Levinsky, who was game but not aggressive enough to mix with Jack.

When Levinsky was stung he would open up occasionally, but when he did Dillon punched harder. From the ninth round on Levinsky was only able to counter feebly. Several times the Hebrew tried to stem the tide, but to no avail. Few boxers could in the face of the ever-rushing covered-up Indianapolis boy, who was a 10-to-9 favorite. Levinsky said that after the ninth round his strength appeared to leave him. A stiff overhand swing: spun Levinsky around in that session and another opened up his nose. Levinsky has beaten heavy weights like Jim Flynn, but as a contender for the world's heavy-weight championship he would better pass up Gunboat Smith, from his work against Dillon, who had him on the ropes numerous times.

Dillon was faster than Levinsky, whose left did not even loosen up Jack's nasal organ. Against a boxer Levinsky would get a decision in many cases, hut when it is fight or get out he cannot claim premier honors. Only once did Jack hesitate , that was in the fifth, but it was unfortunate for Levinsky that he stung Dillon, for it angered him and he showed no mercy to the Hebrew. Dillon showed a fighter's instinct and courage, for he let Levinsky land his best and then bored in, weakening his opponent with stomach and kidney smashes.

Same All the Way

Every round was a succession of sameness, with Levinsky doing the Marathon stunt until driven into a corner and then fighting back. Only once or twice did he use a right blow, and then in exploration work. Levinsky at first seemed willing to fight it out, but what could he do when he was hurt from every side? Dillon whipped in stomach, kidney and head punches every round, and it was only when in a half embrace that Levinsky showed his class. After the fight he had no excuses to make to Referee Harry Stout of Milwaukee. Stout was a real referee and he made It a good fight because he pried open every clinch. He knew the game and it was pleasant to see him work. Jack Regan, matchmaker for the Treasure State club, has signed Stout for the club's next show.

The tireless stomach punches of Dillon showed when Levinsky was rubbed down. His ribs were black and blue. An overhand chop was Dillon's favorite weapon In working on Levinsky's stomach and midship section. It was not the clips to the jaw that weakened Levinsky.

Official’s Comment.

Referee Stout said: "It was a. tough fight, with both boys in fine condition and both trying hard which made it hard for me to keep them apart. Towards the last Levinsky was doing the holding. From the ninth round on he was weary. In the fifth round Levinsky made his stand. He used that loop-the-loop uppercut on Dillon and it shook Jack up, and from then on Dillon was the aggressor.

From simply building up a lead Dillon became a fierce fighter. Dillon was the aggressor and a bulldog, while Levinsky was the boxer. Jack kept on Levinsky so close he smothered his blows, Dillon's short left punches as he came in hurt the battler. Levinsky said that in the ninth round he was all in; from then on it was all Dillon. Until then he was feeling aggressive. The punishment that hurt him was a wild overhand swing that took Levinsky on the nape of the neck In the eighth round,"

Their Statements.

Dillon said: "The only chance I had was to keep after him. Levinski is a good boxer — fine for his weight. It came out as I figured and I would have finished him if I had taken a chance after the seventh round, when I saw that the body punches had weakened him. He struck me one telling blow. It is hard to fight when you have to chase a clever boxer."

Levinsky said: "I blew up after the seventh and did not have my strength. I think that Dillon is a real champion and I have no excuses to make. He is, a wonder at infighting,"

The fight drew the largest gathering ever recorded in Butte. The receipts were $8,221 , Levinsky received about $2,100 and Dillon about $2,000. The nearest approach to last night's gate was the -Nelson-Herrera fight, when about $7,600 was taken in.

By Rounds

Round 1 Dillon rushed and landed first a light left to the head. Levinsky snapped his fast-working left to Jack's head, but it was a slight blow. Dillon was cautious in spite of his leading when he landed a right and left to the jaw, Levinsky had shown clever feinting, but he lost the round.

Round 2.

Both landed rights and lefts that did little damage, and then Dillon worked short-arm jabs into Levinsky's stomach and the Yiddisher was content to rest with his cleverness. In a corner exchange to which Levinsky was driven he bested Jack for a moment, but in the set punches Dillon snapped them in harder and oftenor. In spite of his laying himself open to lead, it was Dillon's round.

Round 3.

Jack sent a damaging right to the stomach and then a left to the head before Lewinsky could swing in a light left, Levinsky then winced under a hard lot of kidney punches, which were followed by crushing rights and lefts to the jaw that made Barney hesitate. Dillon again.

Round 4.

Dillon pursued Levinsky with a stiff left and was after Barney like a wild man. He never let up in his task and Barney clinched after getting some head punches. Suddenly Levlnskey shot a stiff right to Dillon's jaw and it made Jack stop. After he recovered he tore into the Hebrew and put a hard right to the kidneys. Jack's round.

On Even Terms

Round 5

Barney shot in kidney blows in the clinch and made Dillon halt as he shot in a hard left upper cut. Dillon put left to the jaw. They fought evenly. Dillon landed lightly on the jaw. Levinsky was aggressive in this even round.

Round 6.

Levinsky ran away from stiff punches. The Yiddisher landed a light left and caught a right and left to the Jaw. Dillon smothered Levinsky in a earner and Dillon hit hard, and in a toe-to-toe exchange they were even. It was a round with plenty of exchange both ways.

Round 7.

It was vigorous from the start and they fought in the clinches. Dillon held, but found Levinsky more clever. Dillon put right to stomach, the Yiddisher covering up. At infighting they broke even. Dillon had a shade.

Round 8

Dillon missed a terrific right, and other short rights and lefts to the head, and made a chopping block out of Levinsky. Levinsky was retreating fast, his blows lacked steam and he was wrestling. He put in a telling left at the end, Dillon landed a right in the stomach. Dillon's round.

Round 9

Dillon charged Levinsky and complained of the holding, Levlnsky's hard left hurt Dillon, but Dillon stopped him with a stinging right and then caught a right on his own Jaw. Levinsky was showing more spirit. An even round.

Round 10

Again Dillon rushed Levinsky, who whipped in two lefts and Dillon did likewise in fierce milling counters. Dillon landed straight left to head. Barney showed his rights in two punches. In hard fighting in a clinch it was even. Dillon had a shade.

Round 11.

Levlnsky's left was not hard and he shed blood from the nose. Levinsky fell and Jack was after him. when he arose, like a wild man. Barney hung on. Dillon landed left in jaw as he chased Levinsky about. And then made Levinsky groggy with another. He was trying for a knockout, but Levinsky was careful. It was all for Dillon.

Round 12.

Levinsky appeared tired and Dillon did not force his lead, he put a right on Barney and a left to the jaw of the retreating New Yorker and put a right and left to Levinsky’s jaw that had him reeling, but he was game in his feeble countering. He was weak at the gong.